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Sunday, May 20, 2012

Comfort

Comfort, comfort my people,

says your God. Isaiah 40:1

What does comfort mean to you? To some people it is sitting in our Barka Lounger watching a movie on TV. Maybe we associate comfort with warm bread or mashed potatoes with gravy. Perhaps we imagine sitting on a warm beach watching the ocean roll in and out while we sip our beverage out of a glass with an umbrella in it. I much prefer comfort over being uncomfortable. I would like to lead a worry, stress, and trouble free life where tires never go flat, milk doesn’t get spilled, children always speak politely, people never get angry, and chocolate and ice cream are considered health foods. Unfortunately, Christians are not promised a comfortable life. We are instead promised comfort in life. Comfort comes from the two Latin words: com fortis - literally translated it means “with strength.” God’s way of giving comfort is to give us strength to do what needs to be done. As His strength comes, grief and sorrow go. The situation may not have changed, but we have a new ability to face our difficulty and deal with it. Isaiah 40 continues:

He tends his flock like a shepherd:

He gathers the lambs in his arms

and carries them close to his heart;

he gently leads those that have young.

Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand,

or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens?

Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket,

or weighed the mountains on the scales

and the hills in a balance?

Who can fathom the Spirit of the Lord,

or instruct the Lord as his counselor?

Whom did the Lord consult to enlighten him,

and who taught him the right way?

Who was it that taught him knowledge,

or showed him the path of understanding?

Do you not know? Have you not heard?

The Lord is the everlasting God,

the Creator of the ends of the earth.

He will not grow tired or weary,

and his understanding no one can fathom.

He gives strength to the weary

and increases the power of the weak.

Even youths grow tired and weary,

and young men stumble and fall;

but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;

they will run and not grow weary,

they will walk and not be faint.

We should throw the weight of our lives into the comforting arms of hope.

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About Me

Welcome. I’m Donna. I share about noticing God in the midst of our daily life. Here you will find crafts, recipes, devotions, comforting words, and encouragement.

I am a wife of 35 years. Since saying,"I do," Pat and I have been blessed with quite a lot - 5 sons, 1 daughter, a daughter-in-law, a dog and a cat, a house, a bunch of furniture, and a garage filled with everything but a car. It takes an effort to build a life together, and while most of these things are just things, they stand as evidence of time and energy thoughtfully invested. Of two individuals becoming one, cemented together with happiness, loss, and murmured prayers.

In addition to being a wife and mother, I am also a retired special education teacher, breast cancer survivor, and child of the King. I recently became a Beautycounter Consultant in order to share safe non-toxic personal care products.

God has shown me that He is there in the face of my husband, in the laughter of our children, with the mud on my floor, the students I teach, and the ebb and flow of days. I am so grateful for His reckless redeeming love.